How to Set Up a Home Theater

Families are enjoying each other’s company now more than ever, which means they’re looking for more ways to stay entertained together!  Fortunately, there is no shortage of DVDs and streaming services globally; unfortunately, our living room setup isn’t always how we picture a big theater night.  You don’t have to settle for movies in a bright room. Instead, you can create the home theater of your dreams!  Here are the top ways to do it and some inspiration for any first home theater.  Just remember- you should make the room your own in any way you can!

Television Screen or Projector

A considerable debate between building home theaters is whether they should go for a television screen or if they should use a projector.  Some end up going for both, using a projector that can come down in front of a smaller television.  Although TVs have more depth of color and values, a projector is a far cheaper way to get a gigantic screen and allow for the whole family to feel like they’re really in a theater.  Consider what you can afford, what the size of your room will allow, and what items you already have.  You can always change your mind later, so don’t worry too much!

An In-Room Bar

Nothing screams ‘theater experience’ quite like a drink and snacks bar.  This project doesn’t have to be a large construction job that sends you looking at St Albert homes for sale; you can complete it quickly by putting in a little island and dressing it up.  Some necessary things can be a way to pop the popcorn, like a microwave, hot plate, popper, and a mini-fridge.  If you can have a water hook-up, it could be handy to clean glasses to get lost in the kitchen glassware.  Stock the bar with candies everyone likes and other goodies that make a movie feel special.

Sound Proofing

Fortunately, soundproofing panels aren’t as ugly as they used to be.  If you’re craving that movie theater feeling and can’t get it while you hear someone talking in the kitchen down the hall, soundproofing is the way to go.  There are two main ways to go about this, but you can alter or combine them to suit your needs.

The most straightforward way is to use lots of fabric in your home theater.  Soft carpet, soft seating, and a nice fabric projector screen, can absorb many sounds.  This plan can be done relatively cheaply and enhanced by getting a more solid door for the room.

The other option, which is more expensive but also more effective, is purchasing soundproofing panels.  Spreading these out throughout the room will dampen what sounds get in and what sounds get out.  Of course, they’d be extremely useful if you covered the walls in them, but you don’t necessarily have to do that!  Just get a small amount, test them out, and decide as you go whether you need more.  This move will keep you from having a large foam pile of unwanted sound buffers.